What a superb start to a new series, sorrow and regret leading to a brilliant story, number two has been pre-ordered so I can read more about the small, yet feisty lady!

Allie Cobb plans on heading home to Rushing Creek during the upcoming weekend to see her family, in particular her father who is dying of cancer, a phone call from her brother derails her plans and means she needs to head off sooner rather than later as her father died over night. When she is home she catches up with her best friend, Sloane, and discovers that Sloane's father, who for years has been a riding on the fact that he was a brilliant author but turned into an obnoxious drunk, has cleaned up his act, has started writing again and is mending fences with his divorced wife and with Sloane as well.

Sadly on the night of the funeral for Allie's father, Sloane's father is killed and someone is framing Sloane for the act! Now Allie is putting her logical mind to solving this murder and at the same time she is putting aside the dislike she has for the Chief of Police (who was married to Allie's sister but they are now divorced), can Allie (and Matt) solve this before Allie needs to head back to New York? Or will Sloane end up wearing and orange jumpsuit?

Allie Cobb has returned home to Rushing Creek, Indiana for her father's funeral. While his death wasn't a surprise, it has still hit her hard. She's not prepared for tragedy to strike her small town a second time when the body of Thornwell Winchester is found. He was one of Allie's father's literary clients, and also the father of Allie's best friend, Sloane. When Sloane becomes the police's chief suspect, Allie steps in to find out the truth. Can she do it?

This book is more serious in tone than many of the cozies I read, but given what brings Allie home, that is completely appropriate. I never found that overwhelming, and the book doesn't dwell on it. After all, this is a mystery, and it isn't long before we are off meeting Thornwell and the potential suspects. I was intrigued by the red herrings and enjoyed the twists as we headed toward the logical climax. The suspects are strong, but I was really impressed with the series regulars. They have pasts and baggage that brought them to the page fully formed. I'm interested to see how that dynamic plays out as the series progresses.

Very promising debut! I immediately connected with the protagonist and the supporting characters are engaging. I look forward to the developments with several relationships in the series. There was a sound resolution to the mystery but the author has established an interesting community with lots of material to draw from for future installments.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Allie Cobb and her calico Ursula return to Indiana for the funeral of her father. Like her, he was a literary agent and his request was for her to close down his agency and make sure his authors had good “homes”. One of his prime authors happens to be the father of her best friend. When he is murdered on the night of Allie’s father’s funeral, Allie feels compelled to find the killer and exonerate her friend who is being framed.
She finds an unexpected ally in her former brother-in-law whose acrimonious divorce from her sister makes him a pariah in her family. He is chief of police and not at all what she thought he was. In fact, in acknowledging Allie’s talents and asking for help, the two start healing the wounds. But her assistance is not without its dangers. Thankfully, Allie is intelligent, resourceful and diespite her diminutive size, she is quite capable too.
Allie proves Thomas Wolfe may have been wrong. Perhaps you can go home again. In fact, Allie discovers that in her ten year absence both she and her community have changed and she may be able to find what she is looking for right at home. Since Allie and the other characters are likeable, I will be happy to join her on future adventures. The story was strong and the mystery was solid.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.

Allie Cobb returns from the publishing world of New York City to her hometown of Rushing Creek, Indiana after her beloved father passes away. The morning after her father’s funeral, Allie learns her best friend’s father and important client of Allie’s late father is found murdered. Allie knows her friend Sloane would never kill her father, but Sloane has become the prime suspect of the local chief of police, who happens to be Allie’s former brother-in-law. Allie uses the instincts and organizational skills that make her a great literary agent to try her hand at sleuthing to prove Sloane’s innocence.

Most cozy mysteries I’ve read are told in the third person, so I was surprised to see this one is told in the first person. However, Allie’s voice is perfect for telling this lighthearted cozy and I really enjoyed it. Allie is intelligent and loyal, if a little too over-the-top when she becomes angry. I liked her, though, and was rooting for her to find the truth about the murder victim’s death. Although the police have quickly zeroed in on Sloane, Allie learns there are plenty of other suspects and she logically goes through the list to eliminate who she can to figure out who really committed murder. She makes the common cozy heroine mistake of trying to confront the potential killer on her own, but that’s the biggest flaw in the story. The author is especially good at dialogue, which is natural and realistic throughout the book.

I like that although Matt, the chief of police, starts out very antagonistic, he isn’t afraid to admit he is in over his head and can use Allie’s help. I like the way they eventually work together and share information to solve the crime. There is also a possible love interest for Allie which has a lot of potential for future books. The ending of this book is satisfying and answers all the outstanding questions while leaving interesting possibilities as the series continues. This is an excellent debut to a new series that I would rate 4.5 stars, and I look forward to seeing Allie solve additional crimes.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Lyrical Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney is the 1st book in the Allie Cobb Mystery series, and my first book by this author. Allie Cobb returns home to Rushing Creek, Indiana after her father passes away. Allie has always been close to her father, and followed in his foot steps becoming a literal agent, in New York City. After Allie's father's funeral, her best friend's father, was murdered, and Allis is determined to find the truth of his murder. I really enjoyed this book, and read it in one day it was so good. So many twists and turns. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this cozy mystery.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Yes! A cozy with a NYC literary agent as the protagonist. Her father, also a literary agent had a large contingent of strong clients, but has passed away without Allie Cobb being able to return to Rushing Creek, Indiana prior to his passing. She is overwhelmed with emotion and fighting guilt.

Books, authors, their editors, and agents. It's an intricate network of people with whom Allie must now work to help shut down her father's agency, as she'd promised her mother. The story plants strong sentimental ties between the characters who one by one is well-fleshed. Her best friend, Sloane Winchester, lends her shoulder to cry on, but before Allie can get through the funeral for her own father, Sloane's father is found--murdered.

The Police Chief happens to be her sister's ex who appeared to be a bully when married to Rachel. Growing up, she was never terribly close to her older sister who now has twin boys. But Allie has made a name for herself in the literary world of New York, can stand on her own, and she has "short persons syndrome." Oh, and also, she enjoys the fine art of kickboxing.

Whether this is a female protagonist that exhibits aggressive tendencies due to being crafted by a male author, or it's a subtle expression of her implied New York background and stature, this little lady is no shrinking violet. She is purposeful and methodical as she works through the possible suspects and the twists and red herrings. The well-paced plot allows no down time. Working with a Police Chief who is slightly beyond his element is pushing disbelief, but is explained plausibly.

Loved the author's characterization of the mid-west rural Indiana location and the people preparing for the "fall leaf peeping" festival." Allie feels that tug, the nostalgia for the community feeling, friends, relatives, and Brent.

I received this ebook download from the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read this unique and enjoyable first in his series. Recommended as a fast cozy, easy escapist reading.

A Literal Mess is the first of a new series. This is a cute and engaging story. It doesn't seem like something I will remember well. It's a good read but not remarkable. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Allie Cobb is doing well for herself in New York City as a literary agent. She’s a chip off the old block since her father is a top literary agent in her small hometown of Rushing Creek, Indiana. When her father becomes ill and passes away, Allie heads home with her cat Ursula to close down her father’s company. She, also, plans to spend some quality time with her mother, brother, sister and her best friend Sloane.

Tragedy hits the small town when Sloane’s father is found dead. He was also one of her father’s best friends and client. All eyes turn towards Sloane who is the prime suspect. There is no way Allie believes her BFF did the crime and she intends to prove it. It doesn’t take long before Allie discovers the man had quite a few enemies including the town’s mayor and the handsome new guy in town.

I love new cozy mystery series and this one is off to an excellent start. Often in new series the first book feels stiff as we are introduced to the characters, but not in this one. The characters are written well and are filled with so much personality that I felt as if I knew them immediately. Allie is a great amateur sleuth who never backs down, even in the face of danger.

The resolution of the mystery took me by surprise, but it all wrapped up well. I finished this one quickly and I’m looking forward to meeting up with Allie in future books. Even her family grabbed my interest. I already miss Allie and Rushing Creek.

A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney is debut book in An Allie Cobb Mystery series. Allie Cobb is awakened during the night by a phone call from her brother, Luke. Her father has passed away from pancreatic cancer, and Allie quickly heads home to Rushing Creek, Indiana. The day after her father’s funeral, Sloane Winchester (her best friend) arrives at the Cobb house in distress. Her father and famous author, Thornwell Winchester was found dead under the Rushing Creek Bridge. It is a shame that someone killed him just when Thornwell was turning his life around. Police Chief Matt Roberson (and Allie’s ex-brother-in-law) has Sloane at the top of the suspect list which puts Allie into investigator mode. The mayor is pushing Roberson to quickly close the case before the Fall Festival begins and the leaf peepers arrive in town. Allie is not about to let Sloane get railroaded for a crime she did not commit. Allie uses her deductive skills and keen eye for detail to work on clearing her friend. There are various suspects including Thornwell’s ex-girlfriend, a local literary agent and the mayor. The killer is not happy with Allie’s sleuthing and attacks her to warn her off the case. Allie is not to be dissuaded and redoubles her efforts to identify the murderer. When not sleuthing, Allie is keeping up-to-date on literary clients in New York, catching up with her family and friends, and working to close her father’s agency as he requested. Allie also meets local genealogist, Brent Reynolds who proves to be a distraction along with the delicious hot chocolate served up at Creekside Chocolates. Can Allie locate the killer before she becomes his next victim?

A Literal Mess takes us to the small town of Rushing Creek, Indiana where Allie Cobb grew up with her parents and two siblings. Allie went away to college and then moved to New York City to have a career as a literary agent. She wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps who ran his own literary agency out of their home. I enjoyed the descriptions of the cozy town which has a new chocolate shop that I would love to visit. There are a variety of characters for readers to like and dislike. The disagreeable residents are perfect murder suspects especially Mayor Larry Cannon (I am not sure how this man got elected). The mystery was interesting with red herrings, multiple suspects and good clues. Readers should have no problem solving the crime long before Allie confronts the killer. I was surprised that Chief Matt Roberson asks for Allie’s assistance on the case and hands over case details plus video footage. I found it be farfetched, but it does aid Allie’s investigation. I was happy that the case was completely wrapped up at the end of the book. There is some repetition of information and inconsistencies. Allie has a boyfriend, Lance who at one point she states they have been dating a year and later says a couple of months. I found A Literal Mess to be nicely written with various pacing. I found the story to drag throughout the middle, but it does pick up again later in the story (could have used more action). I like that the author set the stage for this book and the series by describing the town and various residents. There is a cute tortoiseshell cat named Ursula plus a sweet dog named Sammy who takes a shine to Allie. A Literal Mess is a light cozy mystery with a quaint small town, friendship, a close family, adorable animals, enticing chocolates and a mystery for readers to solve. I am curious to see what trouble Allie gets into next time.

This is the debut book in the new "Allie Cobb". mystery series. This is a fun read and a great start to a interesting cozy series with all the right elements that make reading a good mystery series fun . The second book will be released in July and I am already on the pre order list . Thank you for the ARC to the publisher and Net Galley. My opinions are my own. I highly recommend this new cozy series !
Allie is a fish out of water when she decides to return home to Rushing Creek, IN following the death of her father. She moved back from New York and is in culture shock . Seeing a small town through her eyes after living in New York was a fun aspect of reading this book.
Allie is tasked right away to help her mother close out her father's well respected literary agency. When a popular author who was a client of her Father's is found dead Allie is invested in the case and begins to investigate. This is complicated by the fact that the murdered author's daughter is the primary suspect , Allie instinctively feels she is of course innocent and works to prove her innocence while finding clues and suspects along the way that are surprising to the reader and complex.
I found this a pleasant read that is well paced and has the required whodoneit to make it a fun mystery . The charcters are enjoyable and likable . I look forward to further antics of Allie and crew in the second book. Well done to the author. Welcome to the cozy mystery world !

This first in a series by J.C. Kenney is a charmer! The storyline, the characters and location are all totally engaging. The mystery was expertly crafted, and although I had my suspicions I couldn't figure out the how and the why. There is a set-up for what I hope are many more Allie Cobb Mysteries.

A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney is the first book of the new cozy Allie Cobb Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series the mystery within this first book is solved at the end without leaving a cliffhanger so one can read as a standalone or continue onward for another mystery in book two.

Allie Cobb was definitely her father’s daughter as she followed his footsteps into a career as a literary agent. Fresh out of college and trying to make a name for herself Allie chose to begin her career in the big city of New York. However, Allie’s father had taken ill and now has passed on so she is returning to her hometown of Rushing Creek in southern Indiana to attend the funeral and close out her father’s business.

After her father’s funeral Allie fully intended on catching up with old friends and family but before she can even get settled Allie hears from her best friend Sloane that her own father had been found murdered. Determined to help her best friend Allie promises Sloane she will do whatever she can to help track down the killer and bring closure to her.

Now, in my opinion A Literal Mess started off a little more depressing than I would like for a cozy read since generally I like going into these for the light hearted, humorous nature of the stories. However, as one might guess since I’m giving this one 4 stars I did end up really liking the characters and the mystery. It might help that this one is set in my home state so it’s always fun to hear of areas that I’m actually familiar with too but in the end I’ll definitely look forward to seeing what happens in the second book of the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

J.C. Kenney gives us a new cozy mystery series with little Allie Cobb, the kickboxing crusader, and literary agent. Allie was a relatable character and I was pleased with how the story came full circle. I read a lot of mysteries but  I wasn't sure "whodunnit" until the very end. Good work! I look forward to other works by J.C. Kenney.

I received a copy of this book through a book tour and have left an honest review.

I love discovering new series and getting to know new characters. This one has added appeal as the heroine is a book editor and want to be writer herself.
Having moved from her very small home town in Indiana to chase her dream among the bright lights of the big city, New York City, Allie returns home for her father`s funeral.
Sadly, the day of the funeral, her best friend`s father is murdered.
The relationships between fathers and daughters could not have been more different but it seems that Sloane, the best friend, has more than a few secrets she has kept from Allie over the years.

That does not stop Allie from doing all she can to find a killer, despite her turbulent relationship with the resident city chief of police. Leaving no stone unturned, and putting herself in the line of vision, and within reach of a killer, Allie needs to solve this crime before a Fall Festival begins and before her own bereavement leave is over.

Fast paced and exciting, with a wonderful cast of people you`ll want to get to know better.
Hang on for a wild ride as Allie has to figure out her future and manage to stay alive to have one.

A Literal Mess tells the story of Allie Cobb, an editor in New York City who returns to her hometown in Indiana after her father dies following a long illness. She is reunited with her family and her best friend Sloane. When Sloane's father, a famous author who worked with Allie's editor father, suddenly is murdered, Allie becomes involved in the mystery.

I wanted to read this book because I like cozy mysteries with small town settings, and I also was interested in Allie's work as an editor. It is a short, light read, and would be good for a weekend or vacation.

I liked the character of Allie, especially seeing her assimilate back into the small town where she grew up after years away. There were a number of characters to meet in this book, and the author did a good job of developing them. He writes dialogue especially well, and I liked the conversations that moved the story forward.

The mystery was well plotted with just enough clues for readers. I thought the mystery pacing was also well done.

This is a short read (under 200 pages) and I enjoyed it but would have liked even more about the characters. I especially would have liked more of a sense of place with the town -- more descriptions.

A Literal Mess is a good start to a new cozy series. I look forward to reading more of Allie's adventures in the next book!

I received a free copy of A LITERAL MESS by J.C. Kenney in exchange for an honest review. Allie Cobb planned to visit her ailing father, but she set her return for a week too late. Instead, she has to take bereavement leave from her employment as a literary agent so she can return to her hometown for her father’s funeral. Since her father had his own literary agency, Allie plans to spend her time home wrapping up his business, commiserating with family and friends, and catching up on town news. Instead, one of her father’s best friends and long-term clients is found murdered. When law enforcement focuses on the man’s daughter, Allie’s own best friend, as the primary suspect, Allie vows to find the real killer and exonerate her friend. Investigations, confrontations, and peril ensue.

I liked this book. If you like book-type cozy mysteries, you probably will, too.

#ALiteralMess #NetGalley

The first book I’ve ever read by J.C. Kenney. I decided to give it a try because I read the blurb and it sounded like it would be right up my alley. It was. I enjoyed reading about Allie, the kickboxing crime fighter, and her family and friends. And though I enjoyed the book, I felt there was something missing or something off about the story, but I can’t put my finger on what. But I liked it enough to have been entertained by the story and left eagerly anticipating the next instalment of Allie’s adventures.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to anyone who likes a cosy mystery. Allie returns to her small hometown from NYC for the funeral of her father. Like him, she is also a literary agent. She works for a big NCY firm and he had his own agency, based out of the family home. Her mom, brother and sister all live in town and were present for most of his illness. Allie feels guilty for not making it home sooner although her family doesn't blame her. While at the funeral, her best friend's father (and one of her dad's most prolific & difficult clients) relapses into his alcoholism. By the next morning, he's found dead under a local bridge and Allie is convinced it was murder. To help her friend come to closure, Alli sets out to solve the crime. Really well written book by this author and one I highly recommend. The characters are well-drawn and distinct; the plot line moves well; the author's reasoning for the murder is sound. I look forward to more books by this author.

The first in a new series. Allie Cobb left Rushing Creek Indiana to go to Manhattan and become a literary agent just like her father. The news she has been dreading arrives when she receives a call that her Father has passed away just days before she was supposed to come home for a visit. She arrives home and reconnects with all this is good in her small town. She is working on closing her Father’s literary agency and getting thru her Father’s funeral and wake. Her best friend Sloane is also the daughter of her Father’s friend and best selling author Thornwell Winchester. Sloane’s father has not always been the best as he has had many drunken years but after learning of Allie’s father’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer he decides to clear up his act and he has for the last year. The night of the wake Thornwell goes off the wagon and the next morning is found murdered with Sloane being the prime suspect. The chief of police Matt is Allie’s ex brother-in-law and with the upcoming Fall festival the mayor is anxious to get this wrapped up. Allie promises to help Sloane and find the real killer. This is the best of cozies as it captures the warmth and love of a family and small town along with a solid who-dunnit. It was a solid mystery and I will definitely be picking up the next in the series. Highly recommend.